Ariel Atom 2

Post by **TroyV** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 9:34 am

One of my SVTOA chapter members just picked up an Ariel Atom 2. He's been asking me about doing more track events. Since SVTOA only does one or maybe two regional HPDE's a year, I told him that perhaps COMSCC would be a good vehicle for him to get some seat time. He has quite a few track days under his belt with a Ford Focus sedan, and he is a regular at our autocrosses.

What is the ruling on this car? What class would it fit into? Are arm restraints required....any other info pertaining to what would be required to run with COM would be appreciated.

jlwhorf · Post by **jlwhorf** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 10:04 am

I would think SSC for the NA version or SSB for the supercharged one

Jonathan

deimos · Post by **deimos** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 10:49 am

As the car is open, he'll need arm restraints. I also think he'd be in SPx or ST classes over SS.

Mark Swinehart · Post by **Mark Swinehart** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 10:50 am

SSC??????

"The Atom starts with the 160 BHP Atom - a car with a higher power-to-weight ratio than a Porsche 911 Turbo."
http://www.arielmotor.co.uk/

Formula Prepared maybe?

Post by **TroyV** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 11:03 am

Mark, think about this a bit yourself and if possible bring it up at the next meeting if you remember. It will be very likely this individual will become a member, and begin to participate in Com events.. I'm sure he'll want to get his ducks in a row before even coming to an event.

jlwhorf · Post by **jlwhorf** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 11:13 am

here are the engine options for the US built car.
http://www.automotivearticles.com/123/a ... cing.shtml

When the Atom was featured on Top Gear, it posted the second fastest time. Beating the Enzo and only getting better'd by the Maserati MC12.

Jonathan

skid vicious · Post by **skid vicious** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 11:21 am

Not that I'm biased or anything, but I dont think thats an SSC car, maybe SSB

enjoythemusic · Post by **enjoythemusic** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 11:31 am

Mark Swinehart wrote:Formula Prepared maybe?

Judging by the way it is manufactured and specification, FP might be about right. If not FP, whatever the Noble and other very high performance kit cars would fit into, though add arm restraints as a necessity.

Mark Swinehart · Post by **Mark Swinehart** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 11:35 am

Troy -

According to the current COMSCC rules I'm pretty sure the Board of Directors wouldn't make a determination on the classification of this car since the competition season is in process.

The rulebook specifies "Individual car classifications may be changed during the competition season by a majority vote of the board of stewards for new and not otherwise classified cars or cars classified in error."

brucesallen · Post by **brucesallen** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 12:16 pm

since it is not classified the chief steward can classify in season. Maybe we need more specs from the driver since options are available. We certainly would love to see it on the track if it has been fitted with proper safety equipment.

brucesallen · Post by **brucesallen** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 12:36 pm

You might consider it a kit car in which case it would be SPC or SPB turbocharged. It is intended for street- would need street legal fixings.
Also it sure looks like an open wheel FP car. and at 1,000 pounds and 160 to 300 hp it should perform- unless it has DOT rubber.

Post by **WillM** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 3:37 pm

Awesome! Very cool that you are bringing a friend into COM. I'm sure he'll have a great time.

As a COM first-timer, he'll get categorized as a student. Depending on his experience with other clubs, he may remain a student or may be signed off after a check ride.

Regardless, he should do the following:

When registering online, register as a student.
Fill out the registration form as completely as possible.
In the "comments" section, and this is very important, he should write:
"I'd like to request, or rather insist, that Will Martins be assigned as my instructor."

Other than that, I'd say the car would be classed SSU.

rajito · Post by **rajito** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 3:47 pm

Rly? It looks more like a formula car than anything else.

I say put him in FP and see if he can beat Bruce

raj

zip4zat · Post by **zip4zat** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 4:18 pm

WillM wrote: "I'd like to request, or rather insist, that Will Martins be assigned as my instructor."

Other than that, I'd say the car would be classed SSU.

Jeez Will, are you calling dibs?

I thought you had to have street running gear (or the ability to be streat legal) to be in SS or even ST for that matter as Bruce points out... Dont make me pull out the rule book

Post by **WillM** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 4:37 pm

zip4zat wrote:
Jeez Will, are you calling dibs?

I thought you had to have street running gear (or the ability to be streat legal) to be in SS or even ST for that matter as Bruce points out... Dont make me pull out the rule book

Oops...my bad. "DIBS!"

Ariel Atoms are indeed street legal, have seatbelts, and all the running gear. That's what I remember from the Top Gear video and the Atom website. If it is not street legal, than I would guess SPC under the kit-car clause. Form a competition standpoint, I agree that it should perform more inline with FP, but unlike SS and ST, we do not classify SP or P cars based on competitiveness.

...Actually, just clicked the link above. Noticed that the car on that page has a license plate. Looks like Illinois.

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